Techniques for the Comparative Analysis of Data Flow Diagrams

This paper presents an analytic framework for comparing data flowdiagrams based on five dimensions: control points, process automation,data aggregation, resource usage, and raw counts. Our goal wasto develop some simple quantitative metrics that are appropriate forcomputer-aided system development tools. In addition, we argue forcomputer-aided tools that support the tandem development of alternativesystem diagrams. Simultaneous development of competing system descriptions may allow for more accurate contrasts and insightfulanalysis. Finally, we use two case studies to illustrate the comparisontechniques.